RangerRick compiled an excellent list so I am just going to tag on his.
I will start by saying it will be PACKED in Bend over the 4th. You will need to make reservations now if you want to hit the nicer restaurants.
Doing half of these would be an extremely BIG day, but it would be epic and you would need to start early. You will go through Sisters on the way. So here is a Sisters, McKensie pass loop.
- The McKensie Pass is open to travel. McKensie pass If you want to make a loop. I am putting the route in clockwise order.
- Start with the pass. Stop at the Dee Wright observatory at the top.
- Proxy Falls Hike - 1.7 miles RT in a loop\
- Belknap Hot Springs. Belknap Hot Springs It is a cool stop and you can just pay to get in them for an hour or so.
- Blue Pool -
- Salehie falls - quick short stop - highly recommend that you walk down from Salehie to Koosah falls. Very short hike but extremely scenic. I have done the hike from Koosah down to the Blue Pool but don't recommend. Once the Mckensie drops into the lave tube, it is just a forest hike until it emerges again at the Blue Pool.
- Clear Lake - rent a row boat and just cruise around this crystal clear unbelievably cold lake. Perfect for families. If you only stop for 15 minutes, it is cool to see it.
- Head of the Metolious - this off the road a few miles. The Metolious river emerges from the ground and starts a great fishing river. The general store downstream is a nice stop for a drink and a snack.
- Wizard Fish Hatchery - down the road past the Metolious - make sure you feed the fish at the big pond
- Dinner at Black Butte Ranch - they just remodeled the main lodge. Unbeatable views of the Cascades.
My picks if you need to narrow the list:
- Salehie to Koosah and back
- Blue Pool
- Clear lake (even in for 15 minutes) you are too close not to stop.
and then pick a couple from the above list.
For golf, it really depends on where you stay. Everyone has their preferences, but to me Crosswater is top of the list. Unless you know a memeber, you HAVE To stay at the Sunriver Resort to play it though. It was home to the NCAA men's championships and the Senior Traditions tournament. Very few homes. Just golf and nature.
Bend Options:
- Pronghorn - Nickalaus is open to the public. Fun track through the high desert. Good views and lots of lava
- Tetherow - this used to be an amazing setting for golf but now there are homes all over it and they require a caddy. It is still a quality track, but has lost some of it's appeal. If you are never going to go to Bandon, then sure, play it. It is fun to play links style. But for the money, I would save links golf for Bandon and play one of the other courses.
- Widgi is also a good option and a little more reasonable. You will use every club in your bag at Widgi. It is not just a driver off the tee box course.
- Whatever you do AVOID River's Edge Golf Course
- Sunriver's Meadows and Woodlandss courses and Black Butte's Glaze and Big Meadows will all feel very similar. They are solid resort golf tracks. You don't have to stay on site to play these and sometimes you can pick up a deal on GolfNow.
Bend is a great food cart town. Best are:
- The Podski food trucks
- Bevel Brewing food trucks (gets less crowded as most tourist stick to the West Side of Bend)
- On Tap Bend - good for music and also avoiding crowds - on the East Side of Bend
- The Lot - Bend's original food truck lot
Galveston Ave - is also a good spot for food. Ten Barrel Brewery's original location. Sunriver Brewing and several other restuarants. One block frm the lot...
July 4th - fireworks off of Pilot Butte. You can see these from all over town and it is normally a great show.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I live in Bend and always enjoy helping Ags out.
! The construction on 20 blows on normal days. All the yahoos with travel trailers ignoring the no turn signs backing everyone up for miles is going to be peak in 2 weeks. 